Warner Bros Pictures has acquired the life rights of the iconic Philadelphia-based R&B singer-songwriter. The movie project will star singer/actor Tyrese Gibson in the lead role.

According to Deadline, Donald De Line (Ready Player One) will produce via his De Line Pictures studio banner, along with Lee Daniels (Empire, The Butler, Precious), and Gibson via his Voltron Pictures. The studio has also tapped Little Marvin (creator of Amazon’s upcoming event series Them) to pen the screenplay. Pendergrass’ widow, Joan Pendergrass, is an executive producer.

“I am honored to take this journey… this is the role that I feel I was born to play. Teddy Pendergrass embraced me and before he passed put the responsibility on my shoulders to tell his story,” Gibson saaid. “Being here in this time and in this space and moment with Lee Daniels, Donald De Line, Little Marvin and Warner Bros is an answered prayer. Teddy, I just hope we make you, your wife and family proud… Here we go!!”